Signature Experiences are a collection of tours and activities that provide our visitors a deeper look into the fascinating culture, history and stunning natural beauty of the Lowcountry. Beyond world-class beaches, championship golf courses and outdoor recreation, Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Daufuskie Island offer enriching experiences which will long be remembered. Discover the unexpected and the notso-ordinary life of the Lowcountry.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
Gullah Heritage Trail Tours
Restoring, Preserving and Sharing the Gullah Culture
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Guides of Gullah Heritage will tour 10 Gullah-Geechee neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island focusing on the heritage culture, language, foods, historical sites and folklore. Includes Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.
Tour “The Little House” and take a journey through five generations of a Hilton Head Island GullahGeechee family. Learn about the African American farming, fishing and oystering culture.
Discover the first self-governed freedman’s town in America. Begin your journey as you envision the arrival of slave ships at the dock. Hear the story of what became of those who stayed and thrived.
Explore history and cultural heritage on this 68-acre property. Exhibits, trails, gardens, live oaks, butterfly enclosure and horses are just a few experiences you will encounter.
Hilton Head Distillery
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
Vagabond Cruise / Ocean Dolphin Cruises
Heritage Library Living History Tours / Zion Cemetery Historic Site
Learn about the amazing world of hand-crafted spirits and see it in action with a fun and informative guided tour followed by a delicious tasting experience.
Experience Broadway-caliber musicals, comedies, or dramas at the award-winning Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. You can also admire the rotating exhibits at Art League of Hilton Head Island.
Vagabond Cruise is the island’s original sightseeing excursion cruise operator. Cruise vessels depart Harbour Town Yacht Basin for your group to enjoy a relaxing cruise with unforgettable views. Features Ocean Dolphin Cruise, Sunset Dolphin Cruise, Savannah Day Cruise & more.
Hear an onsite presentation from one of the “residents” of the cemetery, telling the story of the oldest existing building on the island and the plantation owner’s antebellum church, the first church that once stood on the island.
Daufuskie Island History & Artisans Tour Excursion
Old Town Bluffton Walking Tour
Cole-Heyward House Tour
Garvin-Garvey House: A Freedman’s Cottage
Experience how the Cole and Heyward families and their slaves and servants lived their daily lives on this historic property which includes an antebellum house, slave cabin, and summer kitchen.
Take a guided tour of the last existing Freedman’s cottage now preserved on the high banks of the May River in Bluffton. Built in1870 by Cyrus Garvin on the site of Joseph Baynard’s summer home; the house has been through a full architectural renovation.
Tucked between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, accessible only by boat. Discover the rustic beauty and undeveloped side of Daufuskie’s historic sites. Boat departs Shelter Cove Marina and includes a guided land tour by golf cart on arrival. 4.5 hours with light snack.
The Heyward House Museum & Welcome Center conducts walking tours in Old Town Bluffton. Stroll picturesque, oak-lined streets while learning about the Bluffton’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
DISCOVER, EXPLORE & ENJOY
Hilton Head Island offers natural beauty and exceptional ecology that appeals to the senses in a relaxing, laid-back and welcoming vibe, making it a perfect vacation destination. There is a wide array of accommodations to suit any lifestyle, requirement and budget: resort hotels, select service hotels and home & villa rentals.
BY THE NUMBERS • • • • • • • • •
12 miles of oceanfront beach 8 beachfront parks 1,307+ acres of protected land Over 250 area restaurants 23 golf courses 350 tennis / pickleball courts Over 60+ miles of bike paths 6 public marinas Over 60 outdoor festivals & events
ACCOMMODATIONS HILTON HEAD ISLAND RESORTS & HOTELS • Beach House Resort Hilton Head Island • Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island • Hampton Inn Hilton Head Island • Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island • Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Head • Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa • Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort • Palmera Inn & Suites
EXPLORE BLUFFTON: RICH IN CULTURE, RICH IN SPIRIT
• Red Roof Inn Hilton Head
Home of character, Bluffton’s quirky side shines with its own blend of genuine hospitality and artistic eccentricity. Bluffton fills the soul of the traveler with a sense of place that not only captures the charm of a time past, but also brings it full circle into the present.
• Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
VisitBluffton.org
BLUFFTON RESORTS & HOTELS
• The Sea Pines Resort • The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa HiltonHeadIsland.org/Stay VACATION PLANNER
• Extended Stay America Premier Suites
ESCAPE TO DAUFUSKIE ISLAND: THE PARADISE BEYOND Accessible only by boat, depart from Hilton Head Island or Bluffton. Discover Daufuskie Island’s history, Gullah heritage, historic sites, tranquil life & timelessness on a guided or selfguided tour (rent a golf cart and explore) and meet artisans and locals. VisitDaufuskie.org
• Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites • Montage Palmetto Bluff • Old Town Bluffton Inn VisitBluffton.org/Stay VACATION PLANNER LOCAL WEATHER
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
CHART YOUR COURSE
FEBRUARY • Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration GullahCelebration.com
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Dolphin Watch & Sunset Cruises
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Visual and Performing Arts
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Kayak & Paddleboard Nature Tours
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Boutique & Outlet Shopping
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Beach and Nature Walks
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Waterfront Dining/Lowcountry Cuisine
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Sea Turtle Walks & Talks (seasonal)
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Distillery Tour & Tasting
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Biking Tours
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Revolutionary & Civil War History
Championship Golf, Tennis and Pickleball
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Gullah Heritage & Culture
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Explore Old Town Bluffton
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Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
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Discover Daufuskie Island Cruise & Tour
• Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival HiltonHeadSeafoodFestival.com MARCH • HHI International Piano Competition HHIPC.org • Hilton Head Wingfest HiltonHeadWingfest.com • Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival HiltonHeadWineandFood.com
CLOSE PROXIMITY
• Palmetto Quilt Guild/Quilt Festival (held bi-annually) PalmettoQuiltGuild.org APRIL • RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, PGA TOUR Tournament RBCHeritage.com • The Art Market at Historic Honey Horn CoastalDiscovery.org
TH NOR LINA O CAR
JUNE • Juneteenth Celebration ExploreMitchelville.org (Hilton Head Island) 75 BlufftonMLK.org (Bluffton) SEPTEMBER • May River Music Festival MayRiverMusicFestival.com
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#1 DOMESTIC AIRPORT
OCTOBER • Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival BlufftonArtsandSeafoodFestival.com • Crescendo: Celebration of Arts & Culture CultureHHI.org
SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
NOVEMBER • Crescendo: Celebration of Arts & Culture CultureHHI.org • Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival HHIConcours.com
GETTING HERE
• Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade CultureHHI.org • Hilton Head Oyster Festival HiltonHeadOysterFestival.com SAVANNAH HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAV) (only 45 minutes away)
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Visit Hilton Head
HILTON HEAD AIRPORT (HHH)
Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau